U.N. criticizes envoys’ expulsion

The United Nations mission protested Afghanistan’s expulsion of two European diplomats accused of holding unauthorized meetings with Taliban militants.

One diplomat worked for the U.N.; the other was the acting head of the European Union mission. They had traveled to Musa Qala in Helmand province, which British, Afghan and U.S. forces retook from the Taliban this month.

“We see no basis for such a decision, but we respect the sovereignty of the government of Afghanistan and have every intention to abide by that decision,” said Aleem Siddique, a spokesman for the U.N. mission.